Question about Bay Area Occupy Protests

I live in Oakland, and for the longest time, I have wondered why almost all of our Occupy protests take place here. I know there were some protests across the bay in SF and in Berkeley, as well. But wouldn't it have been a better idea for the protesters to go to more up-scale neighborhoods and towns where wealthier people live to protest, like Livermore or Marin? Don't get me wrong--I agree with the movement, but it has been costing our city money, and the reports of violence damage the city's reputation on a national level. That's just my $0.02.